Christine Wolff's clients just returned from a family trip to Europe onboard Viking’s Rhine Getaway itinerary. The group sailed from Amsterdam to Basel stopping everywhere from Kinderdijk, Cologne, Koblenz & Rüdesheim, Speyer, Paris, Strasbourg and Breisach in-between. With such a diverse itinerary, the group had an amazing time together exploring four different counties along the Rhine. They loved working with Christine, and couldn’t say enough about how unforgettable she made their trip!

​Ever wondered if you could experience a total solar eclipse on a cruise ship? Well, next April you can! Another total solar eclipse is set to occur on April 8th, 2024, with certain areas experiencing a totality lasting up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds. Mazatlan, Mexico, located in the direct path of the eclipse, serves as an excellent viewing spot, and where the following cruise ships will stop to witness the eclipse themselves. Although none of the cruises will actually dock in Mazatlan, you’d actually get a better view from onboard the cruise ship with an unobstructed view. Total solar eclipses, especially ones lasting this long, are a rare occurrence, so if you’re interested, you should definitely plan your trip as soon as possible! Listed below are some cruise lines that are sailing during the total solar eclipse in April of 2024.

​Traveling is popular for young adults who are looking to explore new places, experience different cultures, and make memories that will last a lifetime. For many, travel is a way to break free from the routine of daily life and to gain a fresh perspective on the world around them. Whether it's backpacking through Europe, exploring the beaches of Southeast Asia, or taking a train across the United States, young adults are constantly seeking out new adventures and ways to expand their horizons. Listed below are some of the suppliers that Brentwood Travel works with to bring young adults the best travel accommodations. Whether you’re looking for group tours, cruises or rail, there's no shortage of ways for young adults to see the world!

​If you're looking for a cruise that combines stunning scenery, rich history, and delicious cuisine, Holland America Line's Canada and New England cruises are the perfect choice! These cruises take you on a journey through the picturesque ports of call along the east coast of North America, from the quaint fishing villages of Maine to the bustling cities of Quebec City and Montreal. In this blog post, we will be taking you through Holland America Line’s 7 Day Canada & New England Discovery cruise itinerary, so keep reading to learn more!

Last week, Royal Caribbean opened up their new state-of-the-art cruise terminal in Galveston, Texas. Brentwood Travel marketing associate, Rachel Peters was onboard the first sailing from the terminal on the Allure of the Seas. Keep reading to hear more about the terminal and cruise!

​*All protocols and sail dates are subject to change. Information updated 4/7/21. Please contact your Brentwood Travel Consultant for the latest updates.

There are many aspects of a cruise to consider when searching for the one that's right for you. Do you want the larger-than-life elements larger ships offer or the more intimate feeling of a smaller ship? What destination do you want to explore? Are you traveling with children? There are many different things to factor into your decision. Take a look at these features of the different types of sailings to help narrow your search. Once you've narrowed it down, let the Travel Experts at Brentwood Travel find the perfect cruise vacation for you!

Travel Consultants Maggie Groene & Rachel Madigan recently returned from sailing Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Vista. The two enjoyed their time aboard and in Costa Maya and Cozumel. They enjoyed the delicious food, friendly staff and beautiful views. Keep reading for a recap of their trip and their tips for first-time cruisers.

Every part of the check-in process went smoothly. They did not have any issues and were quickly checked in and on the ship. Maggie and Rachel spent the day exploring Galveston, Texas, before boarding the ship.​ This trip was Rachel’s first time cruising. Her first impression of ​Carnival Vista was that the ship was very large, but upon boarding, she did not feel overwhelmed by the size. One of the first things they saw upon boarding was the atrium, which featured a Dreamscape funnel with various images projected onto it throughout the entire trip.

​There was never a moment where entertainment was not at their fingertips, day or night. On the ship there were pools, a water park, IMAX theatre, spas, performances and much more. They loved going to comedy shows at night and taking a trip to the spa during the day. 

There were over 30 different dining options on the ship. Maggie and Rachel dined mostly in the main dining area. The menus in the main dining areas changed daily, so they were able to try a variety of meals throughout the trip and never get bored of the food on board. Their favorite restaurant was Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse. Some of their favorite foods on the ship were the chocolate lava cake and 24/7 pizza. 

Carnival Vista offered several bars on board for their 21+ guests. One of Maggie and Rachel's favorites was RedFrog Pub & Brewery, the ship's on board brewery. At RedFrog they tried the craft brews that were made right on the ship and enjoyed the live music and pub games. Alchemy Bar was another favorite spot of theirs for drinks.  They made specialty cocktails that were as delicious as they were beautiful.

The amazing Carnival Vista staff stood out to Maggie and Rachel. They made them feel comfortable as soon as they stepped on the ship and felt taken care of every minute of their trip. Their room steward, the main dining staff, and the entertainment staff were very friendly and provided personable service to every guest. They loved getting a different towel animal in their room every day and collected them throughout their trip. Rachel even brought one back home with her!

When they weren't enjoying themselves on the ship, they spent time on beautiful beaches. They spent a day snorkeling in Costa Maya, and saw sea turtles! They also purchased day passes to Secrets Aura Cozumel to enjoy the many pools and beautiful views at the resort.

1. Purchase a drink package
Opting for a drink package versus paying for drinks individually will save you money in the long run for your trip. These packages give you the option for unlimited soda, beer, wine, spirits, and more depending on the package you decide to purchase.

2. Book a balcony room
Balcony rooms give you the option to get fresh air and enjoy a view of the water without having to leave your room. Rachel felt that for her first time cruising, the balcony room was a great option that make her feel the most comfortable.

3. Download the Carnival Hub app
This was a game changer for Maggie and Rachel’s trip. If you plan on sailing with Carnival, make sure to download this app! They were able to view their daily itineraries, menus, entertainment and even get pizza delivered to them anywhere on the ship all from their phones! You can also use the app before your cruise to book shore excursions, schedule dining reservations and schedule spa treatments.

4. Pack for formal/themed nights
Make sure to check your itinerary while packing to make sure you bring the proper attire for any themed or formal nights. 

​5. Bring certain items to avoid heavy on-board costs
Be sure to pack items such as sunscreen, seasickness remedies (bands, pills, or patches), and the allotted number of approved beverages to keep in your room. These items can have high prices on board, so you can save money by picking up and packing these items before your trip.

"The cruise itself was amazing and we want to thank our Travel Consultant Stacey Hoehne for the wonderful dinner on our first night and the strawberries and champagne!

A highlight during our voyage was our balcony stateroom especially as it gave us the option to open the partition between our room and my parents which was fun! We also got up in the middle of the night while going through the inside passage and watched as we threaded that ship through a needle while sitting on our balcony in our robes. And it was a full moon that night!

One morning we were sitting out on our balcony and a humpback literally waved one of its fins at us. This was the first cruise that I’ve taken were you can see land all around most of the time. It was incredible when a momma brown bear and her 3 cubs were spotted on the shore and the captain would get us as close as he possibly could! And we spent many nights watching the sunset in the Crow’s Nest. The onboard naturalists were incredible and we all learned a lot about Alaska. The ship board credit also came in handy and we appreciated it.  Food was good and service was great!

It really was a trip of a lifetime with my family and we all have awesome pictures of the trip and great memories. I believe that every single human being on this planet should see the many wonders that I saw in Alaska!”

-Lynne A.